AFP Poll Finds Staffing, Board Support of Top Concern to Fundraisers

Many fundraisers feel that having an inadequate level of development staff is a key internal challenge holding their organization back from making more impact, an informal AFP website poll suggests.

The AFP Quick Poll, posted for several weeks this spring on AFP’s homepage, www.afpnet.org, offered a range of response options for internal factors that might hinder a charity’s fundraising, including technology resources and infrastructure, messaging and branding, the case for support and strategic planning, and others.

Along with inadequate staffing, another top concern among respondents was that their board members do not have sufficient understanding of or involvement in the fundraising process. Many fundraisers view board support as critical to their efforts of outreach and relationship-building with donors as they work to clearly articulate the organization’s strategic vision connecting donations (resources) with community impact (results).

Fundraising budget also garnered many votes, but did not stand out as much as staffing or board understanding/involvement. This might indicate that fundraisers view human resources as more critical for success than monetary funding.

Interestingly, fewer fundraisers seem to think that a lack of creativity and innovation is holding their organization back. Full results of the poll are listed below.

Respondents could mark all options they felt were applicable from a provided list. The survey was open April 19-July 1, 2012.

Poll Question and Results

New Poll

A new AFP Quick Poll is now open on www.afpnet.org and asks by what means fundraisers prefer to engage in professional development opportunities—such as through face-to-face events, online webinars, hard copy materials, or others. Let us know your thoughts!